MANILA, Philippines—After giving birth, working, and trying to be the best wife I could be, I was very drained. I knew something was going to give. So I took a leave from work.

Thanks to older, more experienced moms, who told me that I was going through post-pregnancy blues, which was “normal,” I learned how to relax.

I spent my time taking care of the baby and listening to my body. If I was tired I would sleep without allowing guilt to creep in.

And slowly I started enjoying again the simple pleasures I used to enjoy. I call it my high-maintenance but low-budget extravagance.

My foremost regimen was what I called Asian Massage. A therapist would come over to do it. To my dismay, the price has jumped from P250 to P300 an hour. I blame the increase to gasoline prices.

I also call over to the house a girl to do my nails, facial, and waxing.

More than ever, I have come to love home service.

Why? It’s so much cheaper than salon rates. Not that I don’t love salons. But I prefer to be practical.

And the less I leave the house, the more time I have for my family. Oh and the more savings I make (I don’t have to load always my car with gasoline).

I’m sure we all have our high-maintenance, low-budget trick. Here are some guiltless pleasures from Manila’s beautiful but practical people:

Milk maiden

Trisha Chua-Juico: “Instead of buying expensive moisturizers, I swipe on evaporated milk mixed with cold water on my face, then wash it off after a couple of minutes. It leaves my skin supple.”

Mane attraction

Giselle Sityar: “To take care of my hair, I just buy a pot of Keihl’s deep conditioner, which I use when I feel my hair is getting brittle, rather than having to pay more for a salon hot oil. Also, it makes my bath more enjoyable and relaxing.”

Sanj Valenton: “I’ve opted to tie my hair for formal occassions instead of having to always spend on getting my hair blown dry. It saves me a lot of time and money, and I think it looks classier and more appropriate for formal events, anyway.”

Skin sense

Joanne Tengco: "Petroleum jelly is something I have on my bedside table. I use it as lotion before I sleep, when my skin is extra dry. Also, I love spreading it on my feet then wear socks before I sleep to keep them soft and smooth.I hardly need to go for a foot scrub.”

Ina Vergel De Dios: “Instead of buying expensive eyecreams to de-puff my under eye, I use cucumber slices from the refrigerator. It does work wonders.”

DIY beauty

Tina Ansaldo-Cruz: “I’ve learned how to not depend on going to the salon for makeup. I actually enjoy applying makeup and have fun trying out new looks.”

Home improvements

Anna Tuason: "Getting my hair done at home is something I enjoy, and saves me a lot of unnecessary time on the road.”

Menchu Montecon: “I do foot scrubs and mani-peds in the comfort of my home. They don’t cost as much as having to go to a salon and eats up less time for getting ready, which is great for my husband."

Scrub-a-dub-love

Kristine Moreno: “Instead of getting a footscrub in parlors or buying an expensive exfoliating scrub for hands and feet, I keep a small jar of rock salt mixed with extra virgin olive oil. I use that to scrub my legs and feet every week (with the help of our helper, who knows how to massage) to eliminate dead skin.”